Italy is going Loch Ness Monster mad over a 1940s charcoal drawing of Nessie claimed to be the world-renowned Dutch artist MC Escher.

The work of Art, described as the "Loch Ness Monster and black man without a face" was found in a loft during a family clear out. Now experts are hoping to have the piece judged by experts to assess if it is genuine.

The story has captured the imagination of the Italian media and has featured extensively on national television and the national press over the past couple of years.

The charcoal drawing contains the signature Maurits Cornelis Escher on the back with an inscription that reads: "with all my heart to a friendly remembrance". Dated January 18, 1949, the work of art has been described as the Loch Ness Monster and black man without a face. It depicts a man playing a flute as a monster emerges from the sea.

It was discovered in 2005 in Volturara, a small village in the province of Avellino in Southern Italy. Traffic police officer Raffaele De Feo was clearing out his family's attic when he found the picture. Initially he didn't take any notice of it, but later on removing the frame, he found an inscription on the back of the picture, which, according to some art lovers, portrays Nessie and a black man.

An Escher-Nessie association has been formed to get to the bottom of the mystery, and its experts say the cataloguing number on the painting is typical of the artists work. They are providing information gathered about the picture.

"We are not aiming at providing a judgement on its authenticity but arousing the interest it deserves and trying to understand the reason why the body in charge of authentication refuses to examine and express a judgement on it," the association website states.

Escher (1898-1972) is regarded as one of the world's most famous graphic artists. His art has international appeal and he lived in Italy for several years. Born in the Dutch province of Friesland, Mauritis was the youngest of three sons. His father, George, was a civil engineer. The family lived in a grand house named "Princessehof" which later became a museum and host exhibitions of MC Escher's works.`